Name: ________________________________________
Canterbury Tales Project
Directions: You will be completing ONE of the five creative projects outlined below in lieu of a paper for this unit.
The projects vary, and cater to all learning styles; however there is one element that remains the same throughout:
the spirit of this assignment is for you to demonstrate an understanding of Chaucer, his time, and his works. Please
keep that in mind as you complete this project.
Note: seek approval to complete your own project idea or any variations on the projects listed here
1. Casting of the Canterbury Tales
Cast the pilgrims using modern-day actors. You must cast all the pilgrims whose stories we have read plus additional
choices from the General Prologue for a total of 10. For each pilgrim, include an image of your chosen actor, and a
paragraph description (about 150 – 300 words) of why that actor is ideal for the role. This must include specific references
to the text itself. That means quotations cited appropriately. You should be able to justify your decisions not only based
on the physical descriptions of the character, but also the character’s personality. Cite other roles your actor has played as
evidence of their compatibility with this character. For characters whose tales you were assigned to read, you must take
into account the deeper understanding of these characters you should have based upon reading their tales.
2. Facebook, Twitter, or Tumblr
Create Fakebook pages for at least three of the pilgrims using http://www.classtools.net/FB/home-page. Create a
Twister conversation between Chaucer and one or more of the pilgrims using http://www.classtools.net/twister/. Create
a Tumblr blog for three or more characters. These could be turned in either in electronic form or hard copy. Some
possibilities to include: profiles, friends, details, blog entries, favorites, etc. You can manipulate time as long as you
capture the essence of the character.
3. College Application
Fill out a Common Application from https://www.commonapp.org/ for the Wife of Bath and any other pilgrim of your
choice. Include at least 1 essay for in the voice of each character (500 word minimum), and write at least two teacher
recommendations for each character as well (500 word minimum).
4. Canterbury Tales Board Game
Please create a board game that encapsulates the essence of The Canterbury Tales. We don’t want to limit your creativity
too much with too many stipulations here. Suffice it to say, the ultimate aim of this is to show a deep understanding of the
text: its characters, events, and themes. This assignment should include instructions as to how to play the game, and a one
page write-up explaining your decisions as a reflection of Canterbury Tales.
5. Character Sketches
Draw/paint/create portraits/sculpt busts of a total of six (or more if you fancy) of the pilgrims. You must include all of the
pilgrims we read in class plus any additional from the prologue for a total of six. For each portrait, write a paragraph
explanation of the artistic decisions you made based on evidence from the text, both from the General Prologue and, if
applicable, the linking prologue and character tale. Please do a bit of research into the dress of the time, I do not want
anachronisms. Please do not do this option if you have no artistic talent. I do not want to look at stick figures.
Tips for Success:
 I mentioned this at the beginning, but it bears repeating: the spirit of this assignment is for you to demonstrate an
understanding of Chaucer, his time, and his works. Please keep that in mind as you continue.
 Read the assignment carefully and fulfill its requirements.
 You must cite page numbers appropriately and use the textbook translation to receive credit for this assignment .
 Do not procrastinate!
 FLIP ME OVER FOR THE RUBRIC. 
Your completed project is due __________________________________________.
Canterbury Tales Project Rubric
A-range projects:
o
o
o
o
o
demonstrate outstanding and sophisticated depth of understanding of The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer, and/or other
aspects of the Middle Ages
are extremely visually appealing; colorful and/or creative as well as well-ordered/ “wall-worthy”
are complete and/or go over and above the project requirements
exhibit a perfect mastery of English (grammar, usage, mechanics, and spelling) and are free of any errors.
display a superb level of effort and thinking
B-range projects:
o
o
o
o
o
demonstrate a respectable understanding of The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer, and/or other aspects of the Middle Ages,
though perhaps not as sophisticated as A-range projects.
are visually appealing but may be lacking slightly in; colorfulness, creativity, and/or neatness/ “wall-worthiness”
are complete according to the project requirements
may contain 1-2 errors in grammar, usage, mechanics, and/or spelling
display a high level of effort and thinking
C-range projects:
o
o
o
o
o
demonstrate a mediocre understanding of The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer, and/or other aspects of the Middle Ages.
May include one or more minor missteps in understanding and/or interpretation.
are not quite as visually appealing as B-range projects, may seem rushed or unnecessarily sloppy
may be incomplete according to the project requirements
may contain 3-5 errors in grammar, usage, mechanics, and/or spelling
display an average amount of effort and thinking
D-range projects:
o
o
o
o
o
demonstrate an almost complete misunderstanding of one or more of the elements from The Canterbury Tales,
Chaucer, and/or other aspects of the Middle Ages.
are not visually appealing due to excessive sloppiness, illegibility, lack of structural integrity, missing elements
and/or any combination of these listed.
are incomplete according to the project requirements
may contain 5 or more errors in grammar, usage, mechanics, and/or spelling
display very low amount of effort and thinking
F projects
o
o
o
have not been submitted at all
have been, either all or in part, plagiarized
do not adhere to any of the project requirements
o contain a host of errors in grammar, usage, mechanics, and/or spelling
Score:
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Comments:
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